You see them everywhere. Red, blue, or yellow, looming over the yellow taxis on 7th Avenue like lumbering metal giants. Most locals give the double decker nyc bus a wide berth, assuming it's just a trap for people who don't know how to use the subway. But honestly? Things have changed.
If you've ever tried to navigate the L train on a weekend or deal with the humidity of a Times Square subway platform in July, you know that the "authentic" New York experience can sometimes just be a sweaty nightmare. That’s where these oversized buses come in. They offer a weirdly specific perspective of the city that you literally cannot get from a sidewalk or a rooftop bar.
The View From the Top: What Most People Get Wrong
People think these buses are slow. They are. That’s kind of the point. If you’re in a rush, take a Citi Bike or the 4/5 express. But if you want to see the architectural detail on the second floor of a West Village townhouse or the weird gargoyles on Midtown buildings that are usually hidden by scaffolding, you need that height.
The "TopView" or "Big Bus" experience isn't about transportation. It's about the vantage point. You’re sitting roughly 10 to 12 feet off the ground. From that height, the city shifts. You aren't looking up at the chaos; you're hovering just above it. You can see over the delivery trucks that usually block your view of the Flatiron Building. It's a perspective shift that actually makes the city feel more manageable and less like it’s trying to swallow you whole.
It's Not Just One Route
Most people assume there's just one loop. There isn't. Companies like Big Bus Tours and City Sightseeing have split the city into distinct "loops"—Uptown, Downtown, and sometimes Brooklyn or Night tours.
The Downtown loop is the heavy hitter. It hits the classics: Empire State Building, SoHo, Little Italy, and the World Trade Center. But the Uptown loop is actually where the real value lies. It cruises past Central Park and the Museum Mile. Seeing the Metropolitan Museum of Art from the top deck of a double decker nyc bus as you lean over the edge (carefully) gives you a sense of scale that walking through the front doors just doesn't provide.
The Logistics of Not Getting Scammed
New York is a city of hustlers. You will see people on street corners with lanyards shouting about tickets. Honestly, don't buy from them on a whim.
Prices vary wildly. You might pay $50 for a 24-hour pass, or you might find a "deal" for $80 that includes a ferry ride you'll never actually take. The best move is usually booking directly on the provider's website or app about an hour before you want to board. This avoids the "street tax" and ensures your QR code actually works when you get to the stop.
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- Big Bus Tours: Generally considered the most reliable. They have a decent app that tracks the buses in real-time. This is huge because waiting 40 minutes for a bus that never comes is the quickest way to ruin your day.
- TopView Sightseeing: Often has more frequent buses but can be a bit more aggressive with their upselling.
- The Ride: This is the weird one. It’s a theater on wheels where the seats face sideways toward the windows. It’s less about "sightseeing" and more about street performers doing backflips on the sidewalk while you watch through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Dealing With the "New York" Elements
Let's talk about the weather. If it’s raining, the top deck is a misery. Most buses have a small covered section at the front of the top level, but it fogs up instantly. If it’s 95 degrees out, that black asphalt on the roof is going to cook you.
But on a crisp October afternoon? It’s unbeatable.
There’s also the noise. Manhattan is loud. When you're on the top deck, you’re exposed to every siren, every jackhammer, and every angry driver’s horn. Most buses provide those cheap, plastic headphones for the narrated tour. Pro tip: Bring your own. Most of the newer buses use a standard 3.5mm jack, and your own earbuds will actually let you hear the history of the Chrysler Building over the sound of a garbage truck.
The Commuter Version: Yes, It Exists
Here is a detail most people miss: The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) actually runs its own double decker nyc bus fleet.
Specifically, look for the M123 or the express buses coming in from Staten Island (like the S79 SBS) or parts of Queens. These aren't the open-top tourist versions. They are sleek, silver-and-blue Alexander Dennis Enviro500 models. They have USB charging ports, reading lights, and—crucially—air conditioning that actually works. If you have an OMNY card or a MetroCard, you can ride these for the price of a standard bus fare ($2.90).
If you want the "view" without the "tourist" price tag, get on a Staten Island express bus at 5th Avenue and sit in the very front row of the upper deck. It’s the best $2.90 view in the entire world. You’ll see the Manhattan Bridge and the Statue of Liberty as you cruise across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It’s breathtaking.
Safety and the "Low Branch" Reality
You’ll see signs everywhere telling you to stay seated. People ignore them to take selfies. Don't be that person. New York has a lot of low-hanging traffic lights and tree branches, especially on the Uptown routes near Central Park.
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I’ve seen people lose hats, sunglasses, and nearly their dignity because they stood up just as the bus went under a traffic light arm. The drivers are professionals, but they are navigating 13 feet of bus through streets designed for horse-drawn carriages. They can't always see what you're doing ten feet behind them on the roof.
How to Actually Use the Hop-On Hop-Off Feature
The "Hop-On Hop-Off" marketing is a bit of a double-edged sword. In theory, you get off at a museum, spend two hours there, and then catch the next bus.
In reality, New York traffic is a chaotic, unpredictable beast. A protest in Midtown or a fender-bender on Canal Street can lead to a 45-minute gap between buses.
The strategy that actually works:
- Start Early: Get on the first bus of the day (usually around 9:00 AM or 9:30 AM). The traffic is lighter, and the buses are cleaner.
- The "Full Loop" Strategy: Instead of getting off at every stop, stay on for one full circuit. Use it to scout the city. Figure out which neighborhoods look interesting, then do your walking later.
- The Sunset Window: If you can time your ride for "Golden Hour," the glass buildings in Hudson Yards look like they're on fire. It's spectacular.
The Environmental and Business Impact
It's worth noting that the industry is shifting. For a long time, these buses were notorious gas-guzzlers, idling in traffic and pumping out fumes. However, New York City regulations and a general push for "Green" tourism have forced companies to modernize.
Many of the newer double decker nyc bus units are now electric or "clean diesel." Big Bus Tours, for instance, has been slowly introducing electric vehicles into their London and NYC fleets. This isn't just a gimmick; it makes the ride much quieter. There’s something eerie and cool about gliding through Greenwich Village on a silent, massive electric bus.
From a business perspective, these buses are a massive revenue driver for the city. They pay significant fees for the right to use designated bus stops, which helps fund the broader DOT (Department of Transportation) infrastructure. While locals might grumble about them taking up space, they are a vital part of the city's post-2020 economic recovery.
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Why the Night Tour is Actually the Best Value
If you only have time for one ride, skip the daytime loops and do the Night Tour.
New York at night is a different planet. The "double decker nyc bus" night routes usually go over the Manhattan Bridge. This is the "money shot." You get a panoramic view of the Brooklyn Bridge with the Financial District skyline sparkling in the background.
Most night tours aren't hop-on hop-off; they are continuous loops starting from Times Square. It’s roughly 90 minutes of neon and steel. You get to see the neon of 42nd Street, the lit-up spire of the Empire State Building, and the way the lights reflect off the East River. It’s arguably more "New York" than anything you'll see at noon.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Ride
To make sure you don't end up frustrated and broke, follow these specific steps.
- Download the "Big Bus" or "TopView" app immediately after buying your ticket. Do not rely on the paper maps they hand out. The live GPS tracking is the only way to know if a bus is two minutes away or twenty.
- Pick your seat strategically. If you’re on the open-top deck, the middle-right side is usually the best. Why? Because New York buses drive on the right, you’ll be closer to the sidewalk architecture and further away from the oncoming traffic and exhaust of the trucks in the left lane.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable. Even on a cloudy day, sitting on top of a bus for two hours will give you a "tourist burn" that will ruin the rest of your trip. The reflection off the glass buildings doubles the UV exposure.
- Check the MTA schedule for the M123 or S79. If you just want the height and the AC without the $50 price tag, use your OMNY phone tap and head to the upper deck of a city-run double decker. It’s the ultimate "local secret" for budget travelers.
- Avoid the 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM window. Gridlock is real. You will spend an hour moving four blocks. It’s much faster (and more pleasant) to walk during rush hour and save the bus for mid-morning or late evening.
Whether you're a first-timer or a jaded local with family in town, the double decker nyc bus serves a real purpose. It’s a break for your feet, a classroom for city history, and a tripod for the best photos you'll take all week. Just remember to duck when you see a tree branch.
Next Steps:
Check the weather forecast for your visit. If there's a 30% chance of rain or higher, hold off on buying your ticket until the morning of your trip. Once you're ready, download the Big Bus app to see the current bus density in Midtown—this will give you a real-time look at how much traffic you'll be dealing with before you commit.